Torso-encircling government



Aug. 8, 1967 TORSO-ENCIRCLING GOVERNMENT B. RASHKIN Filed y 5, 1966 (W IAN ii 64 64\ g E i/ E U 3s 3s 34 2e 3e 1, 54 a 3 & M32 30 r38 u: 4 1/ \LE MA "Q 9mg INVEN FIG. 4 BERNARD n ggmw ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,334,632 TORSO-ENCIRCLING GOVERNMENT Bernard Rashkin, Great Neck, N .Y., assignor to Exquisite Form Industries, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed May 5, 1966, Ser. No. 547,828 Claims. (Cl. 128-601) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Torso-encircling government particularly adapted for use with foundation garments, such as brassieres, girdles, and the like, comprising, in combination, body engaging means for encompassing a torso in an encircling relationship with respect thereto; supporting means for supporting said body engaging means in said encompassing relationship with respect to the torso, and comprising, strap means connected with said body engaging means and extending generally laterally and rearwardly thereof for securing said body engaging means in said encompassing relationship with respect to said torso; and separable fastener structure connected with said strap means at the rear of said body engaging means for releasably securing said strap means in a position in which it secures said body engaging means in said encompassing relationship; and adjustable fastener means connected with said body engaging means and cooperating with said separable fastener means and said strap means for adjusting said body engaging means to the size or dimension of the girth of said torso.

The present invention pertains, generally, to torsoencircling governments, and more particularly, to governments particularly adapted for use with foundation garments, such as brassieres, girdles, and the like, that are constructed and arranged to accommodate variations in the dimensions of the torso, for example, to accommodate variations in the girth of the underbust of the female torso enabling the wearer to choose a garment of proper size with respect to controlling dimensions that will be completely comfortable during use irrespective of a variance or variation of other dimensions.

Manufacturers of foundation garments, such as brassieres, for example, generally concentrate on providing women with different bust cup sizes, enabling them to purchase a brassiere that has the proper volumetric capacity for the particular size of the wearers bust. The manufacturer thus concentrates on the volumetric capacity of each bust cup, and thus the now widely used system of designation 32A, B, C, 34A, and so. Each garment to which a particular such designation is applied is manufactured with structure for encircling the female torso at the bust. The dimensions of this structure, or the girth of the garment, is standardized to some extent so that it can be utilized by the majority of women having a bust measurement falling within that particular standardized bust designation.

Manufacturers realize that the girth of the female torso at the bust will vary within each class of standardized bust designation. It has therefore been suggested, for example, that the encircling structure of the garment be made of a distensible material to accommodate these variations within each standard class. However, it has been found that the torso-encircling structure presently available does not accommodate the very wide variations in the girth of the female torso at the underbust, and particularly, the girth at the under-bust thereof.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide torso-encircling governments particularly adapted for use with foundation garments, such as brassieres, girdles, and the like, that are constructed and arranged to accommodate variations in the dimensions of the torso, for example, to accommodate variations in the girth of the underbust of the female torso, enabling the wearer to choose a garment of proper size with respect to controlling dimensions, while yet enabling the garment to be completely comfortable during use irrespective of a variance or variations of other dimensions.

Another primary object of the present invention, in addition ot the foregoing objects, is to provide torsoencircling governments particularly adapted for use with foundation garments, such as brassieres, girdles, and the like that are constructed and arranged to accommodate variations in the measurements of the torso, for example, variations in the girth thereof.

Yet another primary object of the present invention, in addition to the foregoing objects, is to provide torsoencircling governments particularly adapted for use with foundation garments, such as brassieres, girdles, and the like, said governments being constructed and arranged to be adjustable to accommodate variations in the meas urements of the torso at the under-bust.

A further primary object of this invention, in addition to the foregoing objects, is to provide torso-encirclnig governments particularly adapted for use with foundation garments that are constructed and arranged to accommodate female torso having narrow backs or wide backs.

Still further, it is a primary object of this invention, in addition to the foregoing objects, to provide torsoencircling governments particularly adapted for use with foundation garments that are constructed and arranged to enable the garment to self-adjustably accommodate the variance from the standard size of the girth of the female torso at the under-bust for the particular size bust with which it is associated.

In addition to the foregoing objects, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide torso-encircling governments particularly adapted for use with foundation garments, such as brassieres, girdles, and the like, that are constructed and arranged to enable adjustments of the dimensions thereof to be effected without adding unnecessary bulk to the garment.

Other objects and important features of the present invention will be apparent from a study of the specification following, taken with the drawings which together show, illustrate, describe and disclose preferred embodiments or modifications of the invention and what is now considered to be the best mode of practicing the principles thereof. Other embodiments or modifications may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments or modifications are intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a torso-encircling government, such as a brassiere, constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a portion of the garment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view similar to FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial'rear view of the government of FIG. 1.

With reference now to the drawings, there is shown and illustrated therein a brassiere or other garment 10 with which the torso-encircling government of the present invention is particularly adapted to be utilized. At the outset, it will be understood that, while the torso-en.- circling government of this invention will be described,

disclosed, shown and illustrated herein as utilized in connection with a brassiere, it is equally as well adapted for use with other foundation garments, such as girdles, and in fact is adapted to be used with garments, in general.

The foundation garment or brassiere 10 comprises bust supporting structure 12 and a torso-encircling government 14 secured to the structure for supporting it relative to the torso of a female. The structure 12 comprises a plurality of bust cups 16, and a plurality of sidepanels 18 extending generally outwardly and rearwardly of the cup structures. The latter may be fabricated of any suitable material, and in any suitable and conventional manner.

The torso-encircling government 14 comprises lateral strap means 20 which, in turn, preferably comprises elastic strap structure 38 associated with the bust supporting structure 12 in any suitable manner, as through the medium of stitching extending along the bottom edge portion thereof.

The torso-encircling governmentcomprises, further, adjustable fastener structure associated with separable fastener structure, and shoulder strap means 26. The separable fastener structure 24 may be of any suitable and conventional construction, and for example may be constructed and arranged as described, disclosed, shown and illustrated in US. Patent No. 3,200,464. A detailed description of such fastener structure is not therefore deemed necessary herein, but it will be understood that such structure comprises a male member 28 having a tongue 30 adapted to be removably received within and secured relative to a housing 32 of a female member 34. The members 28 and 34 each comprise flattened rings 36.

End portions 40 of the strap structure 38 extend beyond the rear edges of the side panels 18, through the rings 36 of the members 28 and 34, thus defining a standing portion 42, a bight 44 and a free end portion 46. The bights 44 are threaded through the rings 36, and the free end portions 46 are adjustably associated with the standing portions 42 through the medium of the adjustable fastening structure 22. The latter may comprise hooks 48 provided with apertures 50 to enable the free end portions 46 to be secured relative thereto in any suitable manner, as through the medium of stitching. The adjustable fastener structure 22 comprises, further, retaining structure such as, for example, a plurality of grommets 52 associated with the lateral strap structure 20. This may be accomplished in any suitable manner, for example, through the medium of mounting strips 54 stitched to the standing portions 42.

The grommets 52 preferably are spaced at equi-spaced locations along the strips 54, the distance between adjacent grommets preferably corresponding to one-half of the difference between the standard under-bust measurement for each size of foundation garment. For example, the grommets 52 may be positioned one-half inch apart, enabling equal adjustments to be made at both of the end portions 40 corresponding in toto, to a one-inch variation in the girth of the female torso that the foundation garment will accommodate. In this manner, the separable fastener means 24 will be maintained substantially centrally of a wearers back when the foundation garment or brassiere 10 is worn. And, this will remain true irrespective of whether the wearers back is narrow or wide. The shoulder strap structure 26 preferably is provided with -an adjustment assembly 56 for adjustably securing the shoulder strap structure relative to the cup structure 12, in a manner that is considered readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The structure 26 also preferably is provided with distensible portions 58 which are affixed to the rear edges of the side panels 18 in any suitable manner, as through the medium of stitching (not shown), to define a pair of loops 60 through which the free end .portions 46 are threaded. In this manner, the free end portions are retained in juxtaposition to the standing portions 42 to thereby assist in retaining the hooks 48 in engagement with the grommets 52.

In view of the foregoing, it is considered readily apparent that the foundation garment or brassiere 10 may readily be adjusted to accommodate any under-bust measurement, substantially irrespective of the variations thereof, or a particular size garment in question. For example, the under-bust measurement of a woman who normally wears a size 34B brassiere may be greater than the standard girth of a torso at that location for the female having that size bust. The adjustment for the greater underbust measurement, or for a lesser under-bust measurement, may be accomplished readily and with facility by simply engaging the hooks 48 in the appropriately positioned grommets. The hooks 48 will elfectively be retained in engagement with the grommets regardless of whether the foundation garment or brassiere 10 is being worn or not. Accordingly, the adjustment may be accomplished when the foundation garment is ofl? the torso, and then donned and later taken off without affecting the adjustment. Donning and shedding the garment may be accomplished readily and with facility through the medium of the separable fastener structure 24.

In addition to the basic adjustments capable of being effected by the adjustable fastener structure 22, the torsoencircling government 14 constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention enables adjustments for variations in the under-bust measurement between the basic adjustments to be readily accomplished with facility. "Since the lateral strap means 20 is distensible, and the entire portion of the strap means 40 between the loop 60 and the hook 50 is free to 'distend, substantial differences in under-bust measurements may be accommodated without substantial differences in the tension of the lateral strap means. For example, the distance between adjacent grommets 52 is of the order of one-half inch, and the length of the lateral strap means 40 comprising the standing portion 42 and the free end portion 46 is of the order of four and one-half inches. Therefore, the total change in lengths of the distensible strap 40 is only approximately ten percent between size adjustments, and the tension supplied thereby will accordingly only vary slightly.

The loops 60 of the shoulder strap structure 26, as hereinbefore pointed out, provide a slight tension on the free end portion 46 to assist in retaining the hooks 48 in engagement with the grommets '52. 'Furthermore, the

loops enable an inter-action between the strap structure 26 and the lateral strap means 20. Accordingly, if the strap structure 26 is shortened, and the tension thereof thus increased, then a component of the shoulder strap tension will be reflected in the tension of the lateral strap means 20. Moreover, since the loops 60 of the strap structure 26 retain the free end portion 46 in juxtaposition with the standing portion 42, the tension applied to the hooks 50 and to the separable fastener structure 24 will at all times be longitudinal thereof reducing any tendency of the garment or brassiere to bunch or ride. The relationship between the loops of the strap structure 26 and the lateral strap means 20 also enables a vertical adjustment of the position of the separable fastener means 24 relative to the back of the torso to be effected. This vertical adjustment is directly dependent upon and consistent with the height of the torso as determined by the adjusted length and tension of the strap structure 26.

While the invention has been shown, illustrated, described and disclosed in terms of embodiments or modifications Which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limited by the precise embodiments or modifications herein shown, illustrated, described and disclosed, such other embodiments or modifications intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope of the claims here appended.

What is claimed is: 1. Torso-encircling government particularly adapted for use with foundation garments, such as brassieres, girdles, and the like, comprising in combination:

body engaging means for encompassing a torso in an encircling relationship with respect thereto;

supporting means for supporting said body engaging means in said encompassing relationship with respect to the torso, and comprising:

strap means connected with said body engaging means and extending generally laterally and rearwardly thereof for securing said body engaging means in said encompassing relationship with respect to said torso; and

separable fastener structure connected with said strap means at the rear of said body engaging means for releasably securing said strap means in a position in which it secures said body engaging means in said encompassing relationship; and

adjustable fastener means connected with said body engaging means and operatively associated with said separable fastener means and with said strap means for adjusting said body engaging means to the size or dimension of the girth of said torso.

2. Torso-encircling government as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises generally vertically extending strap means connected with said body engaging means and said lateral strap means for providing support therebetween generally transversely of said lateral strap structure.

3. Torso-encircling government as defined in claim 1, wherein said 'body engaging means comprises a plurality of bust cups secured in spaced apart relationship, and said lateral strap means extends generally across said body engaging means below said cups.

4. Torso-encircling government as defined in claim 1, wherein said lateral strap structure comprises end portions extending generally laterally sidewardly and rearwardly of said body engaging means, one of said end portions being folded to define a first bight between a first standing portion and a first free end portion, said adjustable fastener means comprising a means for selectively adjusting the length of said first standing portion, and the distance between said first bight and said body engaging means, and said separable fastener means comprises a plurality of separable members, one of said members being slidably disposed relative to said first bight.

5. Torso-encircling government as defined in claim 4, wherein the other of said end portions is folded to define a second bight between a second standing portion and a second free end portion, said adjustable fastener means further comprising second adjustable means for selectively adjusting the length of said second standing portion, and the distance between said second bight and said body engaging means, the other of said separable members being slidably disposed relative to said second bight, en abling said separable fastener means to be disposed generally medially of said lateral strap means at each such size.

6. Torso-encircling government as defined in claim 4, wherein the one of said members includes a ring and said bight is threaded therethrough.

7. Torso-encircling government as defined in claim 4, wherein said adjustable fastener means comprises selective engagement means connected with said free end portion, and retaining means connected with said standing portion at spaced apart locations therealong for selective engagement therebetween.

8. Torso-encircling government as defined in claim '7, wherein said means is associated with said standing portion at equally spaced apart locations, and said strap means is fabricated of a distensi'ble material.

9. Torso-encircling government as defined in claim 7, wherefn said supporting means further comprises loop means cooperating with said standing portion between said adjustable fastener means and said bight for slidably receiving said free end portion, to provide stability to said free end portion relative to said standing portion, and to assist in maintaining engagement between the selective engaging means and the retaining means.

10. Torso-encircling government as defined in claim 7, wherein said generally vertically extending strap means comprises a generally vertically extending strap having a plurality of ends, at least one end thereof being connected to said body engaging means, with to define a loop with the other end thereof and wherein at least said free end portion is threaded through said loop to provide stability for said free end portion relative to said standing portion and to assist in maintaining engagement of said selective engaging means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,688,749 9/ 1954 Cocks 128-487 2,723,395 11/ 1955 Blatt 128484 3,302,649 2/ 1967 Bruno 128-487 ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner. 

1. TORSO-ENCIRCLING GOVERNMENT PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR USE WITH FOUNDATION GARMENTS, SUCH AS BRASSIERES, GIRDLES, AND THE LIKE, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: BODY ENGAGING MEANS FOR ENCOMPASSING A TORSO IN AN ENCIRCLING RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT THERETO; SUPPORTING MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID BODY ENGAGING MEANS IN SAID ENCOMPASSING RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO THE TORSO, AND COMPRISING: STRAP MEANS CONNECTED WITH SAID BODY ENGAGING MEANS AND EXTENDING GENERALLY LATERALLY AND REARWARLY THEREOF SECURING SAID BODY ENGAGING MEANS IN SAID ENCOMPASSING RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO SAID TORSO; AND SEPARABLE FASTENER STRUCTURE CONNECTED WITH SAID STRAP MEANS AT THE REAR OF SAID BODY ENGAGING MEANS FOR RELEASABLY SECURING SAID STRAP MEANS IN A POSITION IN WHICH IT SECURES SAID BODY ENGAGING MEANS IN SAID ENCOMPASSING RELATIONSHIP; AND ADJUSTABLE FASTENER MEANS CONNNECTED WITH SAID BODY ENGAGING MEANS AND OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID SEPARABLE FASTENER MEANS AND WITH SAID STRAP MEANS FOR ADJUSTING SAID BODY ENGAGING MEANS TO THE SIZE OR DIMENSION OF THE GIRTH OF SAID TORSO. 